MAVS 103, NUGGETS 89

[burekemde]

Luka is a joy to watch, regardless of the teams record. Using international results to compare to NBA results is sort of apples vs. oranges. A lot of high performing foreign players don't transition well to the NBA game, but I don't think anyone feels Luka isn't good enough to be successful here. 

I think the issue (and a source for frustration) is that DAL acquired Luka as the first building block rather than the final piece of a functional team. DAL had been a revolving door for the previous several seasons. But Luka's rookie season showed that the improvement curve was steeper than most anticipated (take that SAC and PHX) and the MBT has been unable to with team building activities to complement his talent. (Too good, too fast) They took a big swing with KP, but that has taken 2+ years to get to where we are today with significant discussion STILL around his fit with Luka and a lot of speculation that KP is tradeable, so grades range from C+ to Incomplete.  

This is going to be more like the Jordan Bulls where they had to find talent to support and grow with MJ and took several years to get there. This is not the David Robinson Spurs acquiring Duncan because of an injury-related tanking but having a high performing team already in place. A lot of the Mavs are at their top potential. Now the challenge is to find players that can help raise the team to Luka's level and get everybody on the same path to success.

Great post MT, i totally agree. Now it's up to the franchise to complement Lukas greatness and let it turn into rings.

I believe in building that squad to next level will require additional consistent pieces in addition to Luka that delivers every given game. The way I see it, Brunson is extremely consistent. KP to some extent. Besides that, you really cant trust anyone to make a shot on every given game. Yes, you can have some players produce some games and then fade away in others. But every given game: That is Luka, then Brunson, then on the border you have KP but with the last mentioned it depends on whether he is healthy and the scheme etc.

I would really build around Luka and Brunson and add consistent great players with skills that match Luka and Brunson. Sabonis would be a great one that fits. The next move that involves KP might dictate the outcome of whether we do or not win championship in the next 5 years.